Photo Galleries

More than 200 people attended the celebration of life ceremony held at Coleman Coliseum for Mal Moore, UA's former director of athletics, who died March 30 at the age of 73.

But while Moore's legacy of achievement in athletics is what most people think of first, radio host Paul Finebaum said he will remember the Dozier native for something else.

“To me, it wasn't what he did on the football field,” Finebaum said after the ceremony was over. “I know what he went through with his wife (Charlotte, who died after a two-decade battle with Alzheimer's disease in 2010).

“It was pure agony seeing someone go through what his wife went through, but I think it's also truly remarkable that this big, tough guy who was a quarterback and a coach was so kind and gentle in taking care of the most important person in his life.

“That's what I'll take away from the legacy of Mal Moore.”

Moore's compassion for his wife and his passion for the Crimson Tide were the main themes of speeches at Thursday's ceremony, which included UA System Chancellor Robert E. Witt, UA President Judy Bonner, former Alabama and NFL quarterback Richard Todd, UA golf coach Jay Seawell and head football coach Nick Saban.

“Today, we're here to celebrate Mal Moore's life,” Saban said. “We all lost a very special man, Alabama lost a Southern gentleman, the university lost a great leader and I lost a great friend.”

Saban credited Moore as the main reason he chose Alabama for his return to the collegiate sideline after coaching the Miami Dolphins in the NFL.

He also told of the smiles on Moore's face after each win — especially the wins that cemented the school's three BCS national titles — and how Moore would read poetry to Saban's wife, Terry, on road trips.

But Saban said that one of his proudest moments was when Moore was named the recipient of the 2012 John L. Toner Award, which is presented by the National Football Foundation to that year's best athletic director.

“He said something to me afterwards,” Saban said. “And he had a tear running down his cheek — which was really tough — and he said ‘You changed my life when you came here.'

“I looked him right in the eye and said: ‘No, Mal, you changed mine. I'm a better coach, I'm a better person, I'm a better teacher from the lessons I've learned in being in partnership with you.' ”

The ceremony opened with a video chronicling Moore's life and career, from his days as a youth in the small Crenshaw County town of Dozier to his playing days under legendary football coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant. The video featured segments on his work during the recovery after the April 27, 2011, tornado and his commitment to Caring Days, the local program for adults with Alzheimer's and other memory disorders.

The Rev. Keith Pugh, senior pastor of Open Door Baptist Church and a former UA football player, was the first to the podium at Thursday's ceremony and he likened Moore's legacy to the story of the biblical prophet Elisha. After Elisha's death, the Bible's second book of Kings said that his bones were powerful enough to resurrect the dead.

“Elisha was gone, but he's still making an impact on the lives of people,” Pugh said. “And Coach Moore is gone, but he's going to impact the lives of students and a lot of people in our state and our community.”

Witt, UA's chancellor since March 2012, worked closely with Moore while he served as UA's president for nine years.

Witt recalled Moore's penchant for telling stories and how, during a football game, a trainer told the then-president that Moore's stories often carried a message that the gentleman athletic director wanted known.

“So, I started listening much more carefully,” Witt said. “And I can't tell you the number of times, as I listened to a story from Mal, that I was getting advice. Wise advice. And good advice.

“Mal Moore brought out the best in everyone he knew, and I believe that will be one of his most enduring qualities.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA | A who's who of University of Alabama luminaries paid tribute Thursday to a man who came to embody Crimson Tide athletics as a player, coach and administrator.</p><p>More than 200 people attended the celebration of life ceremony held at Coleman Coliseum for Mal Moore, UA's former director of athletics, who died March 30 at the age of 73. </p><p>But while Moore's legacy of achievement in athletics is what most people think of first, radio host Paul Finebaum said he will remember the Dozier native for something else.</p><p>“To me, it wasn't what he did on the football field,” Finebaum said after the ceremony was over. “I know what he went through with his wife (Charlotte, who died after a two-decade battle with Alzheimer's disease in 2010).</p><p>“It was pure agony seeing someone go through what his wife went through, but I think it's also truly remarkable that this big, tough guy who was a quarterback and a coach was so kind and gentle in taking care of the most important person in his life.</p><p>“That's what I'll take away from the legacy of Mal Moore.”</p><p>Moore's compassion for his wife and his passion for the Crimson Tide were the main themes of speeches at Thursday's ceremony, which included UA System Chancellor Robert E. Witt, UA President Judy Bonner, former Alabama and NFL quarterback Richard Todd, UA golf coach Jay Seawell and head football coach Nick Saban.</p><p>“Today, we're here to celebrate Mal Moore's life,” Saban said. “We all lost a very special man, Alabama lost a Southern gentleman, the university lost a great leader and I lost a great friend.”</p><p>Saban credited Moore as the main reason he chose Alabama for his return to the collegiate sideline after coaching the Miami Dolphins in the NFL. </p><p>He also told of the smiles on Moore's face after each win — especially the wins that cemented the school's three BCS national titles — and how Moore would read poetry to Saban's wife, Terry, on road trips.</p><p>But Saban said that one of his proudest moments was when Moore was named the recipient of the 2012 John L. Toner Award, which is presented by the National Football Foundation to that year's best athletic director.</p><p>“He said something to me afterwards,” Saban said. “And he had a tear running down his cheek — which was really tough — and he said 'You changed my life when you came here.'</p><p>“I looked him right in the eye and said: 'No, Mal, you changed mine. I'm a better coach, I'm a better person, I'm a better teacher from the lessons I've learned in being in partnership with you.' ”</p><p>The ceremony opened with a video chronicling Moore's life and career, from his days as a youth in the small Crenshaw County town of Dozier to his playing days under legendary football coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant. The video featured segments on his work during the recovery after the April 27, 2011, tornado and his commitment to Caring Days, the local program for adults with Alzheimer's and other memory disorders.</p><p>The Rev. Keith Pugh, senior pastor of Open Door Baptist Church and a former UA football player, was the first to the podium at Thursday's ceremony and he likened Moore's legacy to the story of the biblical prophet Elisha. After Elisha's death, the Bible's second book of Kings said that his bones were powerful enough to resurrect the dead.</p><p>“Elisha was gone, but he's still making an impact on the lives of people,” Pugh said. “And Coach Moore is gone, but he's going to impact the lives of students and a lot of people in our state and our community.”</p><p>Witt, UA's chancellor since March 2012, worked closely with Moore while he served as UA's president for nine years.</p><p>Witt recalled Moore's penchant for telling stories and how, during a football game, a trainer told the then-president that Moore's stories often carried a message that the gentleman athletic director wanted known.</p><p>“So, I started listening much more carefully,” Witt said. “And I can't tell you the number of times, as I listened to a story from Mal, that I was getting advice. Wise advice. And good advice.</p><p>“Mal Moore brought out the best in everyone he knew, and I believe that will be one of his most enduring qualities.”</p><p>Reach Jason Morton at jason.morton@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0200.</p><p></p>